PSY-30104 - Current Perspectives on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Coordinator: Donna Berry Room: N/A Tel: +44 1782 7 33391
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None


Description for 2023/24

This module aims to provide students with an appreciation of current psychological perspectives on autism spectrum disorders. Students will be introduced to psychological research into autism, from historical explanations to current models and findings from recent research. The key characteristics of autism will be discussed, with a different focus each week (e.g. eye contact, communication and emotion processing, clinical issues, therapeutic interventions).

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to current perspectives on research and clinical practice in autism spectrum disorders. The module also aims to promote critical evaluation of published research and encourage reflective discussions with peers.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/psy-30104/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

locate and evaluate relevant research papers on autism: 1
critically engage with issues raised by research into autism, and form and share opinions, backed up by evidence: 1
reflect on constructive criticism of their own ideas: 1
evaluate the claims made by researchers in journal articles, and communicate alternative interpretations of data in a logical and coherent manner: 1

Study hours

20 hours of class teaching, delivered in 10 two-hour sessions.
50 hours of preparation for and writing of blogs.
80 hours of independent reading and study, including preparation for class discussions - of which 10 hours will be guided asynchronous activities.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Coursework weighted 100%
Students will be required to contribute to a regular online blog, which discusses topics specified by the module team
Following weekly teaching sessions, students will be required to produce individual blog articles about selected topics. Students will be required to write for a non-specialist audience, drawing on research in the field, about two topic areas as specified in the module guide. Total word count across both blogs = 3000 words maximum